02.11.2016More problems at Fifa

There are concerns about the future of the Fifa museum, which only opened in the city’s Seestrasse at the end of February this year.

According to an article in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Stefan Jost, the museum’s director, was dismissed last week “as a result of differing opinions about its future”.

Fifa said that it was looking again at the whole concept of the museum in the light of the current of the difficult financial situation and looking at ways to make it more sustainable economically, while still maintaining the social and cultural elements of the project.

The organisation insisted it felt it very important to offer football fans “somewhere where they can experience the fascinating world of football”. Indeed, to this end, Fifa was in close contact with the authorities of the city of Zurich in order to offer people “more interactive possibilities and to enhance football life in the city”.

Speaking in an interview with the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper on Friday, former Fifa president Sepp Blatter said he was concerned about rumours the museum’s future was not assured. “If it were to close, both Fifa and the city would lose a great attraction,” he said. The 81-year-old suggested setting up a foundation and getting football stars and clubs on board, too.

So far the museum has attracted 11,000 visitors per month, meaning 132,000 a year. However, the business plan had looked to almost double this number.